Marking the End of 2025

The end of the year is a great opportunity to take stock of the past year and reset for the year ahead. That’s a theme that we’ve tried to bring into this Via Satellite edition.

This year I tackled “10 Tech Trends to Impact the Space and Satellite Industry,” talking to experts like retired Lt. Gen. John Shaw, former deputy commander of U.S. Space Command; Impulse Space CEO Tom Mueller, and Rachelle Radpour, chief engineer of Boeing’s Space Communications Programs, about the key trends they believe will influence 2026. From sizing up the super-trend of AI applications to thinking about how new leadership may shape NASA, I had a great time having these conversations and putting these trends together.

In another look ahead, Anne Wainscott Sargent digs into Very Low Earth Orbit — VLEO — and hears how technology breakthroughs in propulsion are opening up a new frontier in the lowest orbit. This edition also looks at how the satellite industry has embraced open standards for ground systems to compete with the “walled garden” environments of Starlink and Amazon Leo. We’re excited to feature new freelancer Laurence Russell here.

What better way to end the year than to hear from some of Via Satellite’s 2025 Rising Stars? I loved reading this roundtable interview from Mark Holmes to read their views on the future of the space and satellite industry.

I want to give a special thank you to the entire Via Satellite community — our team at Access Intelligence, freelancers, advertisers, advisory board, contributors, sources, and readers. You are all a vital part of this community. If you are new to reading Via Satellite or aren’t a subscriber, I invite you to subscribe to receive our monthly digital magazine and daily news email right in your inbox — it’s free!

As we look ahead to 2026, Via Satellite is entering our 40th Anniversary Year. We have some special things planned to mark this milestone, stay tuned.

I wish you a joyful end of the year and holiday season. Cheers!